August 2025

India: Ramco Cements plans to inaugurate its upcoming Nandyal cement plant in Kalvatala, Andhra Pradesh, on 28 September 2022. The Sakshi Post newspaper has reported that the plant will have a cement capacity of 2Mt/yr. Ramco Cements’ planned total capital expenditure (CAPEX) investments during the 2023 and 2024 financial years (1 April 2022 – 31 March 2024) are expected to reach US$154 – 167m.

Two West Bengali welders fell to their deaths at the site of the upcoming Nandyal cement plant on 25 September. The welders had been working on a conveyor system when it snapped. The Times of India newspaper has reported that both workers died immediately. Police have informed their relatives and are conducting post-mortems.

Saudi Arabia: Qassim Cement has concluded a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hail Cement for acquisition of the latter’s issued shares. After any acquisition takes place, Qassim Cement plans to issue US$377m-worth of share capital in favour of Hail Cement’s existing shareholders.

UK: Clean Energy Ministerial CCUS (CEM CCUS) and the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) have announced a new partnership aimed at scaling up the deployment of carbon capture technologies in global cement and concrete production over the 10-year period up to 2033. The partners will explore incentives, policy frameworks and finance solutions that can best facilitate industrial-scale CCUS projects. Additionally, they will seek to ensure the long-term development of CCUS via technological developments.

CEM CCUS Norway initiative co-lead Henriette Nesheim said “This is a great opportunity to work together with a vitally important industry. In Norway we are already building our first cement CCS project in Brevik, and we look forward to sharing the experience with others.”

India: The Confederation of Indian Industry has certified Sagar Cements’ Bayyavaram grinding plant as an Excellent Energy Efficient Unit with an award at the Energy Management Excellence Awards 2022. The facility was also among recipients of the confederation’s GreenCo Star Performer Awards 2022.

Kenya: East African Portland Cement Company has resumed production at its 0.6Mt/yr Athi River cement plant. The producer successfully replaced the shell of the plant’s kiln. Managing director Oliver Kirubai said that the upgrade will enable the plant to increase its cement production by 50%, and reduce the price of its Blue Triangle brand cement.

Spain: Cementos Portland Valderrivas has renewed its European Environmental Management System (EMAS) registration for its Alcalá de Guadaíra cement plant. The Spanish Association for Standardisation (AENOR) and government of Andalusia verified the registration. The company says that it confirms its commitment to the environment and transparency.

Canada: Investment bank BDC Capital has invested US$3.7m in concrete testing technologies supplier Giatec. BDC Capital hopes that the investment will further the development of CO₂-reducing technology and AI-based concrete testing.

Giatec CEO Pouria Ghods said "The BDC Capital investment will propel Giatec's expansion into international markets and accelerate our innovation in CO₂-reducing technology, moving the concrete industry towards carbon neutrality. BDC has a long history of supporting emerging Canadian cleantech firms in their growth through exports, research and development. We at Giatec are looking forward to working with BDC in our mission to revolutionise the concrete industry and to create yet another success story for the BDC cleantech practice.”

Austria: Starlinger launched its new 22% recycled plastic cement bags at the K Show trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany. The bag implements Starlinger’s GripTEC technology, which increases the coefficient of friction on bag surfaces so that stacked bags do not easily slip.

Austria: PERI and STRABAG have used a COBOD 3D printer to successfully build Europe’s first 3D printed office building in Hausleiten, Lower Austria.

PERI board member for innovation and marketing Thomas Imbacher said "The building in Hausleiten is a milestone for STRABAG, for PERI, for all involved. We are convinced that 3D printing of buildings will be part of the future of construction, as this technology offers solutions for challenges that are currently occupying our industry: digitalisation, efficiency, shortage of skilled workers and much more."

Pakistan: Lucky Cement has informed investors that it plans to buy back shares up to an equivalent of 3.1% of its registered share capital, which it has valued at US$417,000. The company will commence the purchase from 29 September 2022, and continue until its completion or 27 March 2023.